WiLLow LeaVes celebrating anniversary on Town Square

Since opening in August 2015, WILLow LeaVes of Hope has established itself as a premier go-to destination in Hope.

“When you’ve got people who come down to the Square, they see us,” says co-owner Vickie Tedder. “They see something going on. The more people we have in here, and those coming in town, that gets curiosity up.”

Located on Jackson Street on the Town Square in the former location of Strawberry Fields, WILLow LeaVes is owned by sisters Vickie Tedder, Laura Miller and Lisa Long, and was opened with the intent of it becoming a dinner theatre from the outset, Tedder says.

Shortly after opening its doors, the dinner theatre premiered “The Cowboy in the Denim Skirt” in October 2015, a stage play adaptation by local resident David Webster of a book by the same name written by Rena Dillman, WILLow LeaVes has hosted a variety of entertainment from plays to spoken word and musical events, including the launch party of local singer/songwriter Avery Tallent’s debut CD earlier this year.

Since its opening, nearly two dozen plays have been offered on the WILLow LeaVes’ stage.

And that is more than Tedder and her sisters had anticipated.

“We were hoping we would do at least three plays a year,” she says. “The community theatre, the actors who are involve with that, it is their hobby and passion and they don’t get to do it every day. They work really hard and the people know that. And it ends up nearly a full house almost every time.”

Many have wondered how the sisters arrived at the name WILLow LeaVes of Hope and if there is any symbolism there. Tedder says the explanation is quite simple. The WILLow LeaVes name is a blended nod to family heritage, Tedder says. 

As a mixture of the whole family, the W represents the sisters’ maiden name of Wasson, the I is for their father’s name Ike, the L is for Lavon, their mother’s name, and then the three sisters of Lisa, Laura and Vickie.

And the symbolism doesn’t stop there. 

“The meaning of the willow tree is part of why we named it,” Tedder says. “The meaning of the willow tree is fulfilling wishes of the heart, learning from the past and inner visions and dreams.”

As most small business owners would agree, sometimes finding the best advertising, which doesn’t necessarily come in print, can be the biggest challenge as the ladies at WILLow LeaVes of Hope have found.

“It’s letting people know we are here,” Tedder says. “Just getting the word out without spending a whole lot of money on advertising has been a challenge. Word of mouth is the best advertisement you’ve got without breaking the bank.”

However, word-of-mouth advertising has certainly helped WILLow LeaVes deepen its roots in the Hope community.

Known among area residents for its home-cooked meals, the WILLow LeaVes restaurant serves more than 200 customers each week during its lunchtime hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tedder says.

Looking ahead, Tedder says she hopes to expand their food services hours, as well as launch their newly established coffee line as part of breakfast and expanded evening and weekend hours.

Tedder admits that the business’ antique shop is her passion, but something to which she doesn’t get to dedicate as much time to as she would like.  The sisters keep the store’s inventory rotated on a quarterly basis and seeks new finds at area estate and garage sales, Tedder says.

“It is a variety of things and not just primitive,” she says. “The goal from the get-go was for when you walk in to feel at home; like you just walked into grandma’s house.”

It is WILLow LeaVes dinner theatre offerings that regularly draws a crowd, says Jake Miller, president of the Hope Area Chamber of Commerce.

He credits WILLow LeaVes with offering Hope residents something different outside of the normal 9 to 5 business draw.

“That is something that I have really enjoyed,” he says. “I think another benefit is you can hold events there, anything from weddings and baby showers to business meetings.”

And, as all the businesses on the Town Square complement and support one another, WILLow LeaVes has been hugely successful, he says. Miller says the chamber has held several events at WILLow LeaVes and describes the business as a huge benefit to the town and community in both building recognition and traffic.

“Every time we have a chamber event there it is really cool because we always have someone who is new to the events and may not have been in WILLow LeaVes,” Miller says. “They always have a connection to someone who loves antiques who would like to shop there.”

Columbus resident Naomi Fleetwood-Pyle and the Actors’ Studio of Hope regularly offer dinner theatre events at WILLow LeaVes.

What WILLow LeaVes offers is essentially a winning trifecta of food, shopping and entertainment. Its continued growth and popularity are a testament to its value to the community, Pyle says.

“It is unique in the fact that you don’t find what WILLow LeaVes offers at many places,” Pyle says. “And that it has continued to grow and we have a bit of a following now.”

As Tedder looks ahead to the future of WILLow LeaVes, she says she sees it as a destination for locals and visitors alike.

“We want people to come here and see what Hope has to offer and see who we are,” Tedder says. “Every day is another sign that we see that God has brought us here for a reason. Sometimes we get frustrated and then something wonderful happens. We are doing this for the people to make their needs and wants happen.”